This piece originally appeared in Growing East on June 7, 2015.
By Lindsay Arakawa
Hidden gems don’t always stay hidden, especially when those gems are as fantastic as The New Parkway. I can’t say I remember how I stumbled upon this place, but the first time I attended a screening here was to watch Good Will Hunting as a tribute to Robin Williams.
Now days when we think about going to the movies, we tell ourselves that we rather watch Netflix than fork over $15 to watch something you can stream from the comfort of your bed. I find that theaters like The New Parkway are the exception especially with it’s strong focus on community. From newer releases like Ex Machina, to throwbacks like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, to crazy important things like the Warriors games (WOOHOO), this place has become a hub for everything special when it comes to film + Oakland.
WHEN DID THE TWO OF YOU START WORKING AT THE NEW PARKWAY?
Oliver: I actually started out as a volunteer at The Parkway that was on One Park Avenue, that was back in November 2012.
Mercedes: I didn’t volunteer, but I was a part of the first hiring process.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE BAY AREA?
O: I have lived in the Bay Area since 1991, started in Berkeley then lived in Oakland and moved away for 9 years to Las Vegas. I’ve always had a place in my heart for Oakland.
M: Born + raised, I’m a native, never lived anywhere else.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE MOVIES?
O: I can’t say these are my favorites, but when I feel down they always cheer me up – Grease, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hairspray (John Waters original). I’ve seen each one 50 times, but I’ve seen Grease 80 times.
M: An American Werewolf in London, it’s a dark comedy and I like the original one from 1981. I love that everything is handmade. I just watched it last night. I also love things that Spike Jones is involved in, particularly one called The Fall which was made in the 90’s. It took him 8 years. If you don’t get this movie, you don’t get me.
M: And if you ever want to see J Lo looking pretty foxy, watch The Cell.
O: I have a crush on J Lo and I’m gay.
O: I’m a huge film buff, I spent my whole life working in video stores. Really love 70’s cinema.
M: A movie that recently came out that is well done is Gone Girl.
O: For recent movies, I really like Nightcrawler, the script was off the hook.
FAVORITE MOVIE QUOTE
O: I have one and it’s actually from Grease during the scene where they’re all in Frosty Palace. Danny and Rizzo are standing by the jukebox and Rizzo says, “Somebody snaking you, Danny?” Danny: “Bite the weenie, Riz.” Rizzo: “With relish.”
FAVORTE OAKLAND BARS + RESTAURANTS
M: Marc49 has good tapas + cocktails. I’ll always love Cafe Van Kleef.
O: I have a favorite pho place called Pho King – it’s a small place and not fancy.
M: Stork Club has a nasty dingy rocker vibe, Mario Kart, Moose Drool on tap, and on First Fridays they have a free puppet/amateur strip show.
O: The beer garden on Telegraph has good burgers and sandwiches. And Burrito Express has freshly made tortilla chips and there’s an amped up hot sauce that’s good.
M: My favorite restaurant is Cross Burger – favorite burger in Oakland and the burger patty is spicy. I want my burger to be seasoned.
SECRET/FAVORITE MENU ITEMS AT THE NEW PARKWAY
O: I eat it a lot, the nachos with mornay sauce on it.
M: I liked when we do the nacho fries. Munchie food, and our paninis are pretty tasty (carb city).
FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT THE NEW PARKWAY
O: I like that it’s a community center and it’s for everyone. We have this thing called Karma Cinema every Wednesday and people can pay whatever they want, and 20% of all admissions go to local non-profits that change every month.
M: It’s a community center and there’s lots of opportunity here too. If you have an idea, then our managers will seriously consider it – people will approach us about community partnerships, which allows it to become a hub of activity.
M: It’s also a good place for artists. And I love film, I’m a cinemaphile.
M: It’s also so accessible here – people are welcome to show their films here and pitch their ideas.
O: One of the things that I like is on Doc Nights we allow local filmmakers to show their films here. As an assistant programmer, I like that we play stuff here that you wouldn’t see anywhere else.
DESCRIBE OAKLAND IN 5 WORDS
O: Multicultural, fun, home, strong.
M: Gay, homosexual, changing (change can be scary and good), still home, creative, raw talent – rawness that I don’t want to see go away because it’s my hometown.
Catch one of the upcoming Warriors games or just head to The New Parkway for one of their many events and good films. Also make sure to give them a huge congrats for winning the Oakland Soul Award at the 2015 Oakland Indie Awards!
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